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Frisian Flag is an exercise held yearly at Leeuwarden Air Base and has become an established fixture for NATO's air forces.

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Most numerous, apart from the Koninklijke Luchtmacht with its F-16s, is the German Air Force. Each year, the Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31 <<Boelcke>>, sends around ten Eurofighter 2000s; affectionally called 'Euffies'.

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The Royal Air Force is a regular participant as well. While they take care of bombing and suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD)...

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... top cover is provided by the F-15s but of course also by F-16s from The Netherlands and Portugal...

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...as well as Belgium. No secret which unit this Belgian viper belongs too...

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Being a 'swing-role' aircraft, the F-16 is also tasked with ground attack. 322 squadron's J-513 is seen here equipped with a Sniper advanced targeting pod.

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Cobham is a contractor that provides Electronic Counter-Measures training with their business jet-cum adversary aircraft.

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The last couple of editions saw overseas participation from continental United States provding ample training for both the USAF and European allies alike. New Orleans based F-15C 83-036/JZ departs with full afterburners towards the exercise area.

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True mud-movers are recognised by their brutal low-level take-offs and drab colour schemes. First up is 653/3-AU from ETD 02.007 showing its port side SPA31 Archer markings and close behind is 671/3-XK of sister unit EC 03.003, escadrille 2.GC/III.

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Our French friends from Nancy's Escadre de Chasse 3 are always keen to show their muscles as Mirage 2000D 617/3-IS from EC 01.003 demonstrates.

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Brutal old school RB199 engines make the ground tremble as Tornado GR Mk.4A ZA369/003 powers out to a gradual climb. Modern era engines may be more powerful and efficient, but not quite as impressive!

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With all those aircraft flying two sorties each day, the ground support crews have to work nearly round-the-clock. Support equipment is being ferried in by transport aircraft, or arrives by truck for some participants. Portuguese Air Force C-130H 16805 is making a spectacular approach here (or did he mistakenly line up for the old German runway...)